Odyssey52145214248
July 1, 2023
We have had the good fortune to stay at many excellent hotels over the years, but Kokkini Porta Rosa is easily the most special place we've had the privilege of experiencing. There are no lengths that expert hoteliers Nikos and Angela will not go to for their guests. They have created an app that has lists of anything you would need - from activities (complete with pictures, a description and a link to get you there through google maps), to restaurants, to where to find laundry, to how to text their favorite taxi driver. Each guest receives an iPad upon which, each day, you can click on your room to find a suggested itinerary for places that you may want to visit. These aren't cookie-cutter recommendations. Far from it. Nikos sits down to discuss what's available and what you're interested in, and then he custom-tailors the recommendations, which also are noted on a paper map he provides each day. Each room comes with a car for one day of your stay to make sure you can experience the island outside of the old city. Breakfast each morning is served in multiple courses - all prepared fresh, and over the course of our stay the staff learned our orders and subtly adapted the selections of fresh jams and breads to our preferences. Each evening, we came back to a full tray of spirits and other beverages with a sign encouraging guests to have a drink in the lovely courtyard before retiring for the night. And to top it off, Nikos and Angela had a cake for our daughters to celebrate their birthday. The hotel itself is beautiful and perfectly situated inside the walls of the old town. Each room is flawlessly decorated yet infinitely welcoming - a rare combination, indeed. The staff, too, are a delight. Giulia, who served us breakfast each morning, was so kind and so warm. Like Nikos, Angela, and their son Paris (who is wonderful on the piano as you sit for a drink before dinner), Giulia made us feel so welcome - as if we were part of this family. We have always dreamed of someday owning an inn somewhere beautiful and can only hope if that happens, we could do it half as graciously as Nikos and Angela.